Abstract

"If we do not master the ecological crisis, then all further considerations for the 21st century will be superfluous." (Mikhail Gorbachev)
How threatening are the ecological challenges really at the beginning of the new century? What are the chances of successfully mastering them? And what awareness do children and young people - those most affected by the consequences of the environmental problems we have not solved - have of ecological issues?
This volume presents and compares the results of two very differently conceived ecological future studies: while the Delphi study "GAIA 2000" asked experts from a broad social spectrum about their assessments and expectations as well as technical and social "ecotopias", a "future study from below" focussed on the hopes, fears and environmental activities of children and young people.
The comparison shows: The development of an ecological conscience must be regarded as a key ethical qualification for the 21st century.
The volume is aimed at all those who deal with environmental issues in a scientific or practical way.
The author holds a doctorate in psychology and is a futurologist. His work draws on the results of more than ten years of scientific and practical work on ecological issues.

Authors